The Cardinals led the division until July 27, four days before the Furcal acquisition. Speaking only about his own role, Theriot noted, “When I was playing shortstop we were in first place. I know that. It is what it is.”

Never mind that Furcal is better hitter than Theriot and has played far better defense. If you’re Theriot, correlation = causation and there’s no escaping that kind of geometric logic.

Not that a lot of people won’t buy this. There are people convinced that the Cardinals have been in the crapper for the past few years because David Eckstein isn’t their shortstop anymore. Hey, they won the World Series when he was there, and that speaks for itself, right?

Theriot for the year: .272/322/.336/.657
Furcal for the year: .226/.297/.334/.631

Furcal’s performance in St. Louis (a small sample size) is really not any better than Theriot.

Theriot: .272/.322/.336/.657
Furcal (StL): .250/.317/.405/.722

The only advantage Furcal has is a three day three home run stretch at the beginning of September. Take that away (or even average it out to the end of the year I predict) and they are near identical, or Furcal is a little worse.

Doesn’t change the point of the column at all. Furcal is the far superior shortstop. Just use the evidence as it is, equal at the plate better in the field.

thefalcon123 - Sep 19, 2011 at 1:18 PM

But Furcal’s performance *for the Cardinals* has been better than Theriot’s peroformance *for the Cardinals*. Since we are commented about Theriot’s statements about the Cardinals being in first when he was starting, we’re only compairing their performances with the team in question. Furcal’s performance to the Dodgers is irrelevant in this conversation, since it had no bearing on the Cardinals place in the standings.

The Facts: Theriot got off to a very good start with the bat and helped the Cards get off to the good start. But as the season progressed it was apparent he could no longer handle the job defensively. When his offense sputtered mid-season his poor SS play could not be overlooked. Descalso filled in nicely, but occasionally his lack of experienced showed and the Red Birds choose Furcal to fill the void. He has played well, and St. Louis would not be in the wildcard hunt without him.

Theriot has handled the demotion with class. Plus, he has chipped in when needed and aided our late-season charge. Why he chose to vocalize his views at this time is a mystery, but reading the entire interview, he was prodded somewhat. Not many successful professional athletes are egoless. Thank God, he retains his confidence, cause the oft injured Furcal could relapse, and Theriot might just find himself manning the SS position down the stretch or in the playoffs. Keep Believin’ Ryan.

Big difference between “blissfully and willfully ignorant” and believing you can still contribute. Reading the entire article it becomes clear that Theriot knows he played poorly, criticized his play, but still believes he can handle the SS job. I do not agree. But entering the stretch, I sure want him to believe he can. He just might be called on to play there in a key situation.

paperlions - Sep 19, 2011 at 1:45 PM

Don’t get me wrong, I want him to play great…I don’t root against any Cardinal player (except maybe Cory Patterson, but that is just because I want him to be so obviously bad that he is DFAed so that LaRussa will not be able to keep using him, Edwin Jackson is a more viable pinch hitter candidate than Patterson)…so I do want Theriot to do well when he is called upon, I just don’t want him to be put in situations that are designed for him to fail…like playing SS.

thefalcon123 - Sep 19, 2011 at 2:44 PM

Corey Patterson with the Cards: .157/.173/.325
Edwin Jackson with the Cards: .304/.333/.304

And for what it’s worth, the Cardinals had already fallen behind the Brewers into 2nd place when Theriot made his last start at SS (7/28) before Furcal was acquired…. which essentially negates his entire point…

unless he was suggesting that when he was the starting SS, the Cardinals had been, at some point during the season, in 1st place ….

Theriot has no range….Furcal is old and tired and cant hit either. The cards have the worst Gm in baseball! they are luck carpenter took a pay cut. they lost a great defenive ss who now plays in seattle. they lost Rasmus…..Shu is not a 2b, and the city will riot is Albert isnt resinged.